12/07/2006 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Kalina, with Sign Company and Mr. Fornal with Ganley Management each came forward to be sworn in and address the request. Mr. Kalina advised that the matter was tabled so he could speak with Volkswagen to be allowed to place the Ganley sign under the VW logo. However Volkswagen refused to allow the Ganley sign moved under their logo. They did reduce the VW logo to 45 inches and the Ganley sign was reduced to 2' x 11'. The service sign remains the same as well as the directional sign. Mrs. Diver questioned why the Ganley sign could not be placed elsewhere on the site. Mr. Kalina reviewed that neither the existing building nor existing ground sign included a Ganley sign. They are only requesting a Ganley sign on the new building. Board members suggested installing a Ganley sign on the existing building as there were no signs on the existing building. Mr. O'Malley advised the board to treat the sign variances being requested as content neutral. The board could not address what is said on a sign. Variances should be granted or denied as presented or shown on the current plans. Mr. Kalina reviewed that neither the total square footage of a113 wall signs being requested exceed what the square footage allowed for on 1 wall sign nor the square footage allowed on the total building. He suggested that the VW building set back further than most buildings along Lorain Road. He also advised that the Ganley sign could be installed inside the dealership window without a variance. He stated that the plans as presented is the best proposal they could submit to the city they could not alter the request any further. Mr. Rymarczyk clarified that Mr. Kalina informed him that the diameter of the VW logo is 45 inches not 40 inches as their plans show. However it still does not require a variance. Board members did not feel installing 2 wall signs in the front of the building was warranted. They questioned why the Volkswagen handbook states that all signs must comply with local codes and if they don't then the headquarters would worlc with a dealer to provide a custom solution for the city. Mr. Burke asked if the applicant had something in writing stating that Volkswagen would not allow the dealer name under their logo. Mr. Kalina said no. Mrs. Sergi questioned if the existing dealership was doing well and making a profit. Mr. Fornal advised that VW requires their dealership name to be placed a specified distance from their logo. He further said that his existing building/dealership has done very well. Mrs. Sergi questioned how it was that the existing building has been able to do so well without any wall signs and yet the owner now says the new building can not do well without three wall signs. Mr. Burke questioned what the applicant's hardship was. Mr. Kalina felt that the design is a good design and would not hurt the neighborhood and due to the fact of the money invested into the building the board should grant the variances. Board members felt that the property could continue to yield a reasonable return without 3 wall signs. The request is substantial the code allows 1 wall sign and the applicants have requested 3. The character of the neighborhood would not be altered nor would government services. The owners have full knowledge of City Codes and their sign can be placed inside the building and not require a variance at all. The sign over the service door is not needed as the ground sign gives the location of the service area and the applicants said themselves the service sign could not be seen from the street. Would the spirit and intent of the code be observed the board does not feel that it is observed at all. The board questioned if the applicant had any intentions of placing a wall sign on the existing building. Mr. Fornal advised that he could not say he would never want a wall sign on the existing building at a later date. The board felt that giving the applicant 3 wall signs on the new building would open the city to future troubles when the applicant addressed wall signs on the existing building. Board members questioned why the owner was not submitting a sign package for the entire site instead of addressing just one building. The applicant felt that all wall signs were warranted. N. Sergi moved to approve Ganley VW of 25580 Lorain Road their request for variance (1123.12), which consists of signage and the following variance is granted: 4